Payette County is a county located in Idaho in the United States of America. As of the 2010 census, the population was 22,623. The county seat and largest city is Payette.Payette County is part of the Ontario, OR - ID Micropolitan Statistical Area.HistoryThe county was established in 1917, partitioned from Canyon County. It was named after the Payette River, which was named after French-Canadian François Payette. Payette, originally a fur trapper with the North West Company, was the first white man in the area in 1818.Payette County is one of the few counties in Idaho to be the home to the endangered Idaho ground squirrel.GeographyAccording to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of, of which is land and (0.8%) is water. It is the smallest county in Idaho by area.Adjacent counties Washington County - north Gem County - east Canyon County - south Malheur County, Oregon - west
